Young people urged to apply for youth assembly

The Jersey Youth Assembly (JYA) has said it wants "as many young islanders as possible to join" after opening for applications.

It aims to provide a platform for young people to voice their views and speak directly to States members.

The JYA said its relaunch would replace the previous Youth Parliament programme and the former Youth Assembly.

Deputy Carina Alves, chairwoman of the Political Awareness and Education Sub-Committee, said she hoped the new service would "bridge the gap between the States Assembly and young people".

Alves said: "We know, from feedback we have received, that many young people are disengaged with local politics and often feel that their views go unheard.

"Driving youth participation and engagement in politics is crucial for the future of the island."

The programme will consist of inquiry groups, which are open for people to join all year round, and an executive group, which will be elected on an annual basis by peers.

Molly Gladwin, education manager at the States Greffe, said: "In establishing the JYA, we have engaged extensively with more than 300 young islanders to create something that works for them.

"The programme is open to all 14 to 19-year-olds and, crucially, it is fully flexible so they can take as big or as small a role as they wish.

"Giving young people a voice to allow them to contribute to the decisions that impact their lives is the overarching aim of the JYA, but it is about more than politics."

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